Resolution R26-04-07 & Exhibit A

RESOLUTION NO. R26-04-07
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF EL MIRAGE, ARIZONA, ADOPTING A COUNCIL POLICY
ENTITLED “STREET NAMING, RENAMING, AND CO-NAMING” TO
GOVERN THE NAMING OF PUBLIC STREETS IN THE CITY OF EL
MIRAGE
WHEREAS, the City of El Mirage desires to create a comprehensive policy for
the naming, renaming and co-naming of public streets; and
WHEREAS, street naming is currently addressed through the subdivision
platting process and lacks a comprehensive policy governing the renaming of
existing streets; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that adopting a formal policy will provide
clarity, consistency, and transparency for evaluating street naming and renaming
requests; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to establish procedures that ensure
public safety, community input, and coordination with regional addressing
standards; and
WHEREAS, it is in the public interest to adopt a formal policy governing the
names of public streets in the City of El Mirage.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of
El Mirage, Arizona, as follows:
SECTION 1. That the City of El Mirage hereby approves and adopts the
“STREET NAMING, RENAMING, AND CO-NAMING” Policy attached hereto
and incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit A.
SECTION 2. IMPLEMENTATION. That the City Manager, or the City
Manager’s designee, is authorized to implement the provisions of this
“STREET NAMING, RENAMING, AND CO-NAMING” Policy, including
coordination with applicable departments, agencies, and service
providers.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of El Mirage,
Arizona, this ___ day of __________, 2026.

____________________________
Alexis A. Hermosillo, Mayor
ATTEST: 
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________ 
_____________________________
Jill A. Boltz, City Clerk 
Justin Pierce, City Attorney

EXHIBIT A
Street Naming, Renaming, and Co-Naming Policy

CITY OF EL MIRAGE
STREET NAMING, RENAMING, AND CO-NAMING POLICY
SECTION 1. PURPOSE
This policy establishes a uniform process for the naming, renaming, and ceremonial
co-naming of public streets within the City of El Mirage. The policy is intended to:

Protect public safety and emergency response operations

Maintain accuracy and consistency in addressing systems

Provide clear procedures for resident-initiated and Council-initiated actions

Ensure transparency and appropriate community input
SECTION 2. APPLICABILITY
This policy applies to:

Naming of new public streets

Renaming of existing public streets

Ceremonial co-naming of streets
This policy does not apply to:

Private streets not maintained by the City

Temporary or event-related signage
SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS
Street Naming: Assignment of an official name to a new public street.
Street Renaming: A change to the official legal name of an existing public street
that affects addressing and public records.
Co-Naming (Ceremonial): An honorary designation that does not alter the legal
street name or addresses.
Affected Property Owner: A property owner whose legal address is located on the
street proposed for renaming.
Petition-Based Request: A renaming request initiated by affected property owners.
Council-Initiated Renaming: A renaming initiated by formal action of the City
Council.

SECTION 4. NAMING AND RENAMING STANDARDS
All proposed street names shall:
1. Avoid Duplication or Similarity
Not duplicate or closely resemble existing street names within the City or
surrounding jurisdictions.
2. Be Clear and Functional
Be short, easily pronounced, and easily understood for navigation and
emergency response.
3. Support Emergency Services
Not create confusion for police, fire, emergency medical services, or dispatch
systems.
4. Comply with Regional Standards
5. Be consistent with applicable regional addressing and naming conventions.
6. Meet Naming Restrictions
o
Generally shall not honor living persons
o
Shall not include offensive, derogatory, or discriminatory language
SECTION 5. PETITION-BASED STREET RENAMING
5.1 Eligibility
Requests may be initiated by affected property owners.
5.2 Petition Requirements

Minimum 75% of affected property owners must support the request

If 12 or fewer properties are affected, 100% support is required

Petition must include a notarized Affidavit of Circulation
5.3 Submittal Requirements
Applicants shall provide:

Proposed new street name(s)

Written justification

Completed petition documentation

Designated contact representative
5.4 Cost Responsibility

All costs shall be borne by the applicants (affected property owners)

Includes:
o
Street signage replacement
o
Administrative processing
o
Notification and mailing

o
Mapping and system updates

The City shall not be responsible for:
o
Costs incurred by residents or businesses to update personal or legal
records
5.5 Review Process
The City shall conduct:

Technical review for compliance with naming standards

Coordination with emergency services, utilities, and relevant agencies

Public notification to affected parties

Recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission to the City Council
5.6 Council Action
Final approval or denial shall be by City Council following the review process.
SECTION 6. COUNCIL-INITIATED STREET RENAMING
6.1 Initiation
The City Council may initiate a street renaming by Resolution.
6.2 Applicability
Council-initiated renaming may be considered when:

A street name is determined to be offensive or inconsistent with community
standards, or

A significant public interest or municipal purpose is identified
6.3 Required Process

Staff report and analysis

Technical review (Police, Fire, Public Works, Planning, Utilities)

Public notification and opportunity for input

Public hearing

Final Council action
6.4 Cost Responsibility
The City Council shall determine cost responsibility, which may include:

Full City funding

Partial cost-sharing

Waiver of fees

Assistance measures for affected residents and businesses
6.5 Mitigation Measures

The City may implement measures to reduce impacts, including:

Transition timelines

Coordinated notifications to agencies

Public guidance on updating records

Temporary dual signage
6.6 Limitation
Council-initiated renaming shall be used sparingly and only when the public interest
clearly outweighs impacts to affected parties.
SECTION 7. STREET CO-NAMING (CEREMONIAL DESIGNATIONS)
7.1 Purpose
To provide honorary recognition without changing legal street names or addresses.
7.2 Eligibility Criteria
Proposed honorees shall:

Demonstrate significant and sustained contribution to the community

Have a meaningful connection to El Mirage

Generally be deceased for at least two (2) years, unless an exception is
approved
The City may deny requests that:

Lack community support

Could bring disrepute to the community
7.3 Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:

Completed application

Biographical summary

Proposed location

Petition including:
o
Minimum 75% of affected property owners must support the request
o
Majority from within a two-block radius
7.4 Review Process

Review by the Technical Advisory Committee

Recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission to the City Council
7.5 Council Action

Final approval by City Council.
Denied applications may not be resubmitted for five (5) years.
7.6 Cost Responsibility

The City may fund ceremonial signage at its discretion

No address or legal record changes are required
SECTION 8. IMPLEMENTATION
Upon approval of a street renaming:

The City shall coordinate updates with:
o
Emergency services
o
U.S. Postal Service
o
Maricopa County agencies
o
Utility providers
o
Regional and digital mapping systems

Street signage shall be updated accordingly
SECTION 9. TRANSITION
The City may establish a transition period, which may include:

Temporary dual signage

Public communication and outreach

Phased implementation